Parachutist Gets Caught In Wires In Startling Attempted Landing At Armed Forces Bowl

At the Armed Forces Bowl on Jan. 2, the post-season game was overshadowed by a series of parachutist accidents, one of which was captured on camera. (Photo credit: Boognish_Rising / X)

Video Captures Moment Parachutist Gets Caught And Then Drops Toward The Bleachers

A frightening moment at the 2026 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl overshadowed much of the game itself.

With Texas State playing against Rice University on Jan. 2, this was the first game since 2020 to not feature an Academy of the Armed Forces.

While the Texas State Bobcats bested the Rice Owls, with the end of game score being 41-10, this lively game had an unexpected surprise… one that thankfully saw no one injured.

Flying in at the start of the game, five parachutists made their descent toward the field.

Of the five, only three reportedly landed as planned.

For the other two, there were some challenges…

Reportedly, there were five parachutists, one for each of the primary branches of the United States Armed Forces. Dropping in as part of the All Veteran Group parachuting team, which is comprised entirely of parachutists who are active duty or are veterans, the parachute group was established in 2011 and has plenty of experience with landings at events like sporting games.

However, one of the members failed to land in the stadium entirely.

The other, carrying the Navy flag, got caught in the wires over the bleachers which hold the field goal post nets. He then dropped to the ground below, thankfully with enough drag to delay his fall.

According to the Houston Chronicle, the parachutist who was caught in the wires was able to stand up after his fall and walked away from the scene without injury. Further, no one in the audience was injured.

Watch the dramatic fall, seen here after a successful landing from another parachutist:

Parachuting fail at the Armed Forces Bowl. 3 of 5 touched down safely. One landed outside the stadium. pic.twitter.com/pQr5IYfboF
— Keff Ciardello (@Keff_C) January 2, 2026

Here’s a closer angle of the parachutist getting caught in the wires (viewer discretion advised, on account of foul language):

#ArmedForcesBowl #NCAAFootball Parachute got stuck. pic.twitter.com/s1mGtHfC00
— Boognish Rising (@Boognish_Rising) January 2, 2026

Thankfully, and amazingly, no one was hurt.